What do I need as an American citzen to cross the border to Canada for a short trip?

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Poutine

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html Current Requirements for Entry Into Canada

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens entering Canada from the U.S. You will, however, need:

1. Proof of your U.S. citizenship such as your U.S. passport or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driverâ€™s license, voterâ€™s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.
2.
Photo identification, such as a current, valid driverâ€™s license.

All U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport.

Looks like a social security card is not enough to prove citizenship.

Did you go?
How did it work out?

billyandgaby

You might be Ok.

Check Canadas immigration sight

shiningthowra

PASSPORT FOR CANADA REQUIRED, EXCEPT FOR:
A. ...
D. VISITORS:
1. THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES, PROVIDED THEY CAN PROVE THEIR STATUS:
A. NATIONALS OF U.S.A., WHO ARE RECOMMENDED TO HOLD PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, SUCH AS:
- PASSPORT (MAY BE EXPIRED); OR
- U.S. BIRTH CERTIFICATE; OR
- U.S. CITIZENSHIP OR NATURALIZATION PAPERS.
DOCUMENTS THAT DO NOT INCORPORATE A PHOTOGRAPH SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY
SUPPORTING GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION.
B. LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE U.S.A. SEEKING ENTRY TO CANADA FROM THE
U.S.A. OR ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON PROVIDED HOLDING PERMANENT
RESIDENT/RESIDENT ALIEN CARD (FORM I-551);

Perry L

After Dec. 31 you will be required to have a passport. Right now you will need a drivers license and ss card and you should be able to fake your way through if your friends have all the required docs and you travel with them.

Get more info here:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html

andrew c

as for now all you should need is your license, possibly your birth certificate but the license should be fine. as of January 2007 you will need a passport to get into Canada

chubbiguy40

Drivers license is all you need, I go there regularly.

fabee

"a few hours" don't change anything, you're crossing an official border in hard diplomatic times. You surely need your passport. I'm sorry.

denlp96

You have all you need. No passport is needed, just proof of residence.

wittbelle

I.D., Passport, Birth Certificate, Urine, blood and stool sample and you will have to submit to a full body cavity search.

Just kidding. Just picture i.d.

cherub

i know u need ID,socail seceriy card i live in new york ive gone there like myb 4 times

ALIESE

My sister and I went from Seattle, WA over to Victoria Canada for 4 days and all we had were our drivers licenses for I.D. No passport. Check with the people you are going to visit, they should be able to tell you what you will need. Good luck
Aliese

Blunt Honesty

You have to have a birth certificate. Proof that you are a US Citizen.

just curious

I would think a drivers license and social security card should be enough. I know they are proof of residency for other things in the U.S.

albertan_homegrown

You indeed may have screwed up. It is normally a requirement to have on you a birth certificate and driver's license if you don't have a passport. My suggestion is for you to take whatever you have that has your name on it, and hope you get a nice customs agent.

Hey we are a different country than you - what were you thinking??

** You might get through with just the documents you have, (many do) because our countries have a friendly border - however, you may also get shut down as you really don't have the correct documentation. You're absolutely right about not needing the passport yet, but for sure you should be able to prove your residency in the US.

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